The COVID-19 outbreak has already led to more than $3.4 billion in lost revenues for the U.S. ethanol in­dustry, according to an economic analysis released last week by the Renewable Fuels Association. (RFA). 

The RFA study also found that pandemic-related damages in 2020 and 2021 could reach nearly $9 billion.

For the period running from March through June 2020, the study found the cumulative de­cline in ethanol production and consumption exceeded 1.3 billion gallons; nearly 500 million fewer bushels of corn were used in ethanol production during the period; and industry revenues...